James Scruton

When I discovered James Scruton’s wonderful poem, Crossing the days, in 2009 I knew it would be perfect for one of our cards. I spent some time tracing James and every hour was worth it. His initial reply has been echoed many times over by James in response to all my requests! What a lovely idea! Of course you may use “Crossing the Days” for an upcoming card. I would certainly appreciate a copy of the card once it’s released. (I’ll probably have it framed.) The project sounds like one of the best, most productive and inspiring uses of poems anyone could ever think of, and I am honored that you consider a poem of mine worthy of inclusion.

Introducing

James Scruton is the author of four collections of poems, including Galileo’s House, which received the 2004 Poetry Prize from Finishing Line Press, and Exotics and Accidentals, winner of the 2009 Chapbook Prize from Grayson Books. He has also won the Frederick Bock Prize from Poetry magazine, the Dale Goodwin Poetry Prize, and a poetry award from the Carolina Irish Society, among other honors. He earned his M.A. in English Literature at Eastern Illinois University, his Ph.D. at the University of Tennessee, and has taught at several colleges and universities in the U.S.

The only comment I have to make about the photo of my study is that, yes, that IS a cast-iron typewriter in perfect working order over on the left, and which I still use as an interim step between longhand drafts (well before a computer enters into it) for nearly every poem I write. The glare from the window in the photo, alas, makes it impossible for you to see the pasture and the woods I gaze out upon when I look up from the desk. On some days, one of our horses saunters by, nibbling at the grass, or one of the cats chases a grasshopper, usually fruitlessly, distracting me from the page just long enough for me to return fresh to the words. That is, when I’m not writing before sunrise–like anyone else, I have to squeeze in the poems when I can…